Pressure from the community

[sixerfan889]

As I look at this community I realize that Massillon was built on Tiger Football. I honestly believe that this is the only time this city wakes up. I have no problem with that looking at the history of this team and what it has meant to the city. The problem that I do have is this pressure that these kids come under. When this team loses a game, its like as if the whole city stops. Their is life after football for this kids and I think that they deserve to enjoy it. Just let them play football.


Of course I will get criticism from alot on this board, but this is coming from an outsider that lives in massillon. I have observed this for the past 8 yrs

[MassillonMom]

I have to agree with you, Sixer.


Having lived in this town for 15 years, I have noticed this too.

It seems the whole town is depressed the week following a loss.

When we win, you definitely notice the upbeat mood.

I feel sorry for the players too with all that pressure.

These are just kids...

[Chip 74]

I was lucky enough to grow up in Massillon in the 50's and early 60's when it meant so much to students and parents. You could be 10 years old and it was safe to walk the streets to the game. But back then the game that week meant everything. Now it interferes with cell phones,playstation 2 ,MTV, and the computer. Also most homes either both parents work or kids have a single parent. The world has changed, gotten busier and not as friendly. We dont live in Mayberry anymore. And thats a sad thing. It's hard to talk to my kids without a cellphone stuck in their ear.

[Red50Go]

The pressure to win was just as HUGE in 40s, 50s, 60's & 70s. Maybe even more than today. The difference is we are not as successful. That is primarily due to the much larger programs now, especially at private schools. Coupled w/ our enrollment losses due to heavy industry leaving. The odds are much more stacked against us now. And yet we hang on to the belief we can return to days gone by. That is where the current pressure comes from. Living up to yesterday's standards and not being able to achieve it. I really believe the heart, desire, effort, etc, is still there, alive and well, and we should NEVER question that.

[BigTime]

Funny, the kids seemed to handle the pressure of representing Massillon just fine a year ago.

[Tiger Flame]

Red50Go and others know this is the reality of this situation and others don.t want to accept it. This has happened to other blue collar towns and is starting to happen in Warren. Steubenville has made the change and accepted it and are doing great. Their winning percentage is out standing and the town is united as they bring home their State Championship Trophies !! Our enrollment is going down,down,down and we will have to compete at a lower level,so how long to we drag this out ? Wouldn,t it be great to win almost all the time and win State Titles ? I know my answer on this but a lot of others will not face up to the situation. I only hope that the head coach and administration does what is best for future Tiger teams. Winning puts fans in the seats and makes a happy community ! GO TIGERS BEAT BUCHTEL

[Red50Go]

Funny, the kids seemed to handle the pressure of representing Massillon just fine a year ago.

We can ALWAYS handle winning.

[mike_da_man13]

i actually notice no urgency nobody ever talks about the games this year to say that there is more pressure than last year is crap there has been no atmosphere at the school this year. i actually think with the excpetion of a few players that alot of the kids are just there to say yeah i play for massillon and nothing more.
feel free to disagree call me classless whatever idc. thats just the way i see it going down this year.

[Fats]

This is Massillon, OHIO and the town does live and die by the Tigers. IF you are going to play for the Tigers you have to be able to handle the pressure. This town supports our team like no other. OUr players are different, they have more expectation. That is what it means to be a TIGER. Some kids can handle it and some can not. But, if you want to be a Tiger you grow up your whole life wanting that expectation. The same way that hundreds of great players and coaches have done before you. IT is called TRadition, it is callled MASSILLON TIGER FOOTBALL. I bet if you asked any of our starters if they would rather play anywhere else, they would say NO. They want to be TIGERS. They want to have their names mentioned with the greats of the past. So it may be hard for some to understand. Some say they are just
H.S. kids, yes they are just High School boys but the they ARE MASSILLON TIGERS and that makes them different from any other high school player in the country. They want to be the one that 20 years from now the old timers our talking about that great play they made to win the game, or how this kid came off the bench and won the game. As the saying goes"Massillon Always Win or Lose".

[npaflas]

Tigers Win Or Lose Always

[kj02]

To quote Chris Speilman ," I don't think too much pressure is put on those kids because they grow up with that . There is nothing wrong with expecting them as a team to hold up the tradition that was set long before they were born . Long before their grandparents were born . It's dead wrong to put all the pressure on one individual player , but as a team I see nothing wrong with that ". In other words football is a voluntary activity , so if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen .